01-05-2025
‘Costa Del Punchestown' hail punters who also rave about surprising drinks prices at 2025 Festival
THE 2025 Punchestown Festival is receiving broadly positive reviews thanks to the combination of glorious weather and reasonable drinks prices.
There are of course still
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Twitter user Steve Duggan shared this photo from the hospitality tent while praising the drink prices on offer
Credit: X
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For reference, here is the menu from the 2024 Festival
Credit: @racingblogger
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Popular horse racing tipster Stephen Power branded the Kildare course 'Costa Del Punchestown'
Credit: @racingblogger
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Similarly, Clare Makin called Wednesday 'a gorgeous day for it'
But having trawled through punter feedback online, complaints around the Kildare venue itself seem few and far between.
Steve noted the price of a Guinness is lower than what you'd pay at
Saluting the attendee experience as a whole, he said: "Been a great two days at a great course with great friendly staff and the Guinness is cheaper here on course than in Dublin."
A number of famous faces
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Ireland football legend
Other celebs at the track included
Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: 'The Punchestown Racing Festival is always a must-attend event in the Irish racing calendar, with fantastic energy all-round.
"The Ladbrokes Gold Cup is no doubt the showstopper to top off an exhilarating day at the racecourse.'
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And in the big race of the day, jockey
Kathryn Thomas enjoys day out at Punchestown Festival
The nine-year-old prevented an unwanted hat-trick in the race, having been second to Fastorslow for the past two years.
The 5-6 favourite left no doubt about his star quality as he received rapturous applause from punters watching the big race.
'We are very, very fortunate to have him,' said the winning rider.
'Obviously we were very disappointed coming away from Cheltenham.
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Weather forecasters have predicted another heatwave around the midlands today before the rain returns on Friday and Saturday
Speaking after the big win, Corkman Townend added: 'We are very, very fortunate to have him.
"Obviously we were very disappointed coming away from Cheltenham. The reception he gets his special and we are just lucky to be a part of it. He's a unique horse.'
Galopin Des Champs gave his rider a scare by producing a scruffy jump at the last, but it didn't impact the end result.
Townend continued: 'It wouldn't be like him at all but the fact he done it meant he was doing things easy enough.
'In fairness he gave me plenty of warning. After that he got in a good rhythm and enjoyed it.
'He was taking me today whereas I was trying to hang in there in Cheltenham.
"He wasn't right in Cheltenham and thankfully it didn't leave a huge mark on him which it could have with the effort he put in.
'He got me out of trouble at the last, there's no lying about it. He's all class."
have significant live coverage throughout each day's racing.
On Thursday and Friday it'll be showcased from 4pm to 7pm on RTE Two with RTE One then broadcasting the final day from 3pm until 5:45pm.
